Association of Cricket Officials Issue 32 | Page 18

Innovation Fund Sees Officiating Reach New Markets In the last issue of the magazine we looked at the development of the Cricketeens pilot in Devon. In the early parts of this season, projects all over the country have been up and running to help spread the word of officiating and increase its exposure. Here are a few highlights. Cricketeens Wales Building on the successes in Devon, Steve Davies, Rhodri Jones and Peter Williams set about running a second pilot in Ynystawe, Swansea. With very little marketing, the course filled up instantly yet again and over 20 youngsters were led by Rhys Westcott and Lucy Rees for the umpiring and scoring sections, with Rhodri and Peter helping to lead the practical afternoon session. There was a real focus on interactive games and the new Cricketeens came away hugely enthused. The first few weeks of the season have seen the majority of them out and about across South Wales, proudly wearing their Cricketeens tops, umpiring and scoring in a wide range of junior and adult matches. The Cricketeens have well and truly arrived! A Cricketeen ready at square leg. Keeping an eye on the crease. Durham University ACO Building on the successes of student officiating in other sports, Durham University recently became the first university to have its own ACO. With support from the county ACO, a bespoke course was run and the first new group of umpires was formed. Together with experienced local umpires, the students have started officiating inter-college matches. Our thanks to Keith Sutherland, Paul Jordison, Jordan Montgomery-Else and Sam Blacklock for driving this locally. We now hope to replicate this around the country! Durham University students are put through their paces by the Durham ACO tutors. 18 email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710